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PC MINS 20030325CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2003 CALL TO ORDER 'kOWN � :1 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Long at 7,00 p m at the Fred Hesse Community Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard FLAG SALUTE Commissioner Tomblin led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance ATTENDANCE Present Commissioners Cartwright, Cote, Duran Reed, Lyon, Tomblin, Chairman Long. Absent: Vice Chairman Mueller was excused Also present were Director of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Rojas, Senior Planner Mihranian, and Recording Secretary Peterson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Duran Reed moved to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Commissioner Cartwright. Approved, (6-0). COMMUNICATIONS Director/Secretary Rojas reported that at their last meeting the City Council had formally approved the final map related to the grading application noted in Agenda Item No 1 Commissioner Duran Reed reported that she had spoken to the architect for Agenda Item No 2 and he had stated that there were no objections from the neighbors regarding the proposed project The Planning Commissioners all thanked the City for giving them the opportunity to attend the Planners Institute Conference in San Diego They felt the seminars were very informative and they had learned a lot of new information They encouraged the City to continue to allow the Planning Commissioners to attend such conferences Commissioners Tomblin and Duran Reed reported that they had both received a phone call from Mr. Ortolano regarding the RV issue COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE (REGARDING NON -AGENDA ITEMS) None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Height Variation, Grading, and Variance Permit (Case No. ZON2002-00199): 31018 Marne Drive Director/Secretary Rojas presented a brief staff report explaining that the item before the Planning Commission was a Resolution memorializing the decision made by the Planning Commission at the last meeting Commissioner Cote stated that she was not present at the meeting where this Item was discussed, and even though she had viewed the videotape and read the minutes, she would abstain from the vote on this Item. Commissioner Cartwright moved to adopt P.C. Resolution 2003-08, thereby approving the height variation, grading, and variance applications as presented by staff, seconded by Commissioner Lyon. Approved, (3-2-1) with Commissioner Duran Reed and Chairman Long dissenting, and Commissioner Cote abstaining. Commissioner Duran Reed and Chairman Long both stated that they felt that the Resolution accurately reflected what was decided at the Planning Commission meeting, however because they had both voted against approval of the project, they felt they should vote no on the Resolution to Continue to show their opposition to the protect. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Revision to Conditional Use Permit No. 23 and Grading Permit (Case No.ZON2002-00368): 2930 Vista Del Mar Director/Secretary Rojas explained that staff was still working with the applicant to resolve issues regarding this proposal for a new residence, and therefore staff, with the applicant's concurrence, was requesting a continuance of the public hearing to the meeting of April 8, 2003. Commissioner Tomblin moved to continue the item to the meeting of April 8, 2003, seconded by Commissioner Cartwright. Approved, (6-0). 3. TM 52666 and Grading Permit No. 2282 (Revision `A'): 3200 Palos Verdes Drive West Associate Planner Mihranian presented the staff report explaining that the applicant was requesting to amend the conditions of approval for Tract Map 52666 He stated that the purpose of the revision was to modify the grading quantity approved by the City Council Planning Commission Minutes March 25, 2003 Page 2 in September 2001. He explained that during his review of the final map, the City Engineer had raised concerns with respect to the grade elevation of the proposed street and its potential Impact to the neighboring properties In Palos Verdes Estates. The City -Engineer therefore recommended the street elevation be lowered, eliminating the need for a retaining wall and earth berm The applicant agreed to make the change, however making the change results in an increase in the grading quantity, which Is before the Planning Commission He noted that there are no other changes to the conditions of approval Commissioner Cartwright asked if the City Council, when they approved the final Tract Map, had the understanding that the grading quantity would change due to the lowering of the street. Senior Planner Mihranian answered that the City Council was Informed that the Planning Commission would be considering a revision to the grading. He stated that the staff had reported to the City Council that the revision to the grading quantity did not change the map or the design or layout of the proposed lots and would not prevent them from approving the final map for recordation Commissioner Duran Reed asked why paragraph 1 of the heading entitled `Geology' on Exhibit A (requiring a bond pertaining to geology hazard abatement) was required as a condition if the city would not permit a project to go forward where the City Geologist determined that there was potential for earth movement or earthquake caused by substantial grading Senior Planner Mihranian answered that the City Geologist had reviewed and approved the geology for the tract map with respect to the division of the property into 13 lots He also put conditions on his approval that required further geologic review at the time each of the individual lots are to be developed. He explained that the requirement for a cash deposit or some sort of assurance with respect to the geology was something the Planning Commission had discussed at the time of the approval as some sort of assurance that in the event there is movement, there would be a guarantee that the City and neighboring properties would be protected Commissioner Duran Reed noted that this was in line with some of the Commissioners thinking that insurance should be required on projects which may require substantial grading, and that this should be kept in mind for future projects She noted that in most projects we do not ask for insurance and do not require a bond to cover the costs of any geologic hazard abatement Commissioner Cartwright asked staff if the City ever requires bonds for sub -divisions Director/Secretary Rojas answered that typically a subdivision is a major project, as opposed to a new single family residence, and that there are certain requirements involved, including bonds He stated that usually the development of tracts in the City requires a substantial amount of grading and the City Engineer recommends conditions Planning Commission Minutes March 25, 2003 Page 3 as part of all tract maps. He noted Ocean Trails and Oceanfront Estates had these similar conditions placed on them. ,,Commissioner Duran Reed asked whether that was the case even where there is no proof that there may be some earth movement resulting from grading or putting in a tract. Director/Secretary Rojas answered yes Commissioner Cartwright moved to adopt P.C. Resolution No. 2003-09, adopting Addendum No. 1 to Mitigated Negative Declaration / Environmental Assessment No. 708; and adopt P.C. Resolution No. 2003-10, conditionally approving Revision 'A' to Tract Map No. 52666 and Grading Permit No. 2282 as presented by staff, seconded by Commissioner Lyon. Approved, (6-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4. Minutes of March 11, 2003 Chairman Long noted the comments on the minutes from Commissioner Duran Reed and Vice Chairman Mueller had been e-mailed to staff and distributed to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Lyon noted a revision to page 7 of the minutes and a typo on page 9 Commissioner Cartwright moved to approve the minutes as revised, seconded by Commissioner Duran Reed. Approved, (5-0-1) with Commissioner Cote abstaining since she was absent from that meeting. .111 1111 The meeting was adjourned at 7.31 p m. Planning Commission Minutes March 25, 2003 Page 4